Plant Technician

POET • Jewell, IA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Technician operates plant processing equipment and performs routine basic maintenance at a highly automated chemical facility. The role involves safely maintaining, repairing, and cleaning equipment used in bioprocessing, and may include assisting Maintenance Technicians with more technical procedures. Team members must understand the plant’s process flow, computerized equipment, associated hazards, and standard operating procedures.

The plant operates continuously, requiring 12-hour shifts that rotate between days (7:00 AM–7:00 PM) and nights (7:00 PM–7:00 AM) every six weeks, including weekends and holidays. Team members must be able to meet call-in requirements as needed. This is an on-site position in Jewell, Iowa.

The work includes operating the plant’s Distributed Control System, performing basic electrical troubleshooting, following start-up, shut-down, cleaning, and batching procedures, and collecting and testing quality-control samples. Technicians document work and results, make operational adjustments based on QA/QC results, and help maintain plant safety, environmental compliance, sanitation, and product quality. The position requires wearing PPE and working indoors and outdoors, including at heights, in confined spaces, and in a range of temperatures. A physical and pre-employment drug screen are required; random drug and alcohol testing occurs during employment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of math, reading comprehension, and mechanical reasoning.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and communication skills, and the ability to embrace change.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and the ability to learn new programs.
• Plant Technician II: documented successful performance as a Plant Technician I or equivalent work experience.
• Plant Technician III: documented proficiency in the skills listed in the Plant Technician III Skills Checklist.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including rotating days and nights, weekends, and holidays, and meet call-in requirements as needed.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role and pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen; subject to random drug and alcohol testing during employment.

Nice To Haves

• Production-environment experience for Plant Technician I.
• Experience with software systems such as Maximo.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and operate plant processes and processing equipment.
• Perform maintenance and basic repairs of plant equipment and document the work.
• Operate the plant’s Distributed Control System (DCS).
• Perform basic electrical troubleshooting safely.
• Follow procedures for plant start-up, shut-down, cleaning, and batching.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs.
• Collect and test quality-control samples, interpret QA/QC results, adjust operations to optimize performance, document results, and enter them into the PI data collection system.
• Assist with removal, installation, rebuilding, preventive maintenance, and predictive maintenance of plant process equipment.
• Keep the plant clean by following sanitation schedules and completing assigned tasks.
• Notify management of safety, environmental, quality, and production concerns, problems, and opportunities.
• Promote safe behavior and environmental compliance.
• Maintain a team environment and represent POET in the community.
• Maintain and advance the food safety and quality of POET products and processes.

Benefits

• Competitive bonus opportunities, including quarterly profit sharing and Value Share, with up to six bonuses per year.
• Paid time off, including 40 hours available on Day 1 and a biweekly PTO accrual program.
• Paid holidays.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans for individuals and families, including an employer Health Savings Account contribution.
• Competitive pay, including shift premium pay for qualifying positions.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid parental leave.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Relocation assistance and bonus programs for qualifying positions and/or locations.
• Safety and cold-weather gear reimbursements.
• Discounted home and auto insurance.
• Wellness program addressing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
• On-site fitness centers or fitness reimbursements.
• Frequent team events and volunteer efforts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED